Alimos

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alimos Άλιμος

Location

Coordinates	37°55′N 23°43′E / 37.917, 23.717Coordinates: 37°55′N 23°43′E / 37.917, 23.717
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (min-max):	0 - 10 m (0 - 33 ft)
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	Attica
Prefecture:	Athens
Population statistics (as of 2001^[1])
City Proper
- Population:	38,047
- Area:^[2]	5.909 km² (2 sq mi)
- Density:	6,439 /km² (16,676 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal:	174 xx
Area:	210
Auto:	Z
Website
www.alimos.gr

Alimos (Greek: Άλιμος), Latin and older form: Alimus, is a suburb in the south southwestern part of Athens, Greece, also known as Kalamaki (Καλαμάκι, older forms: Kalamakio and Kalamakion). Poseidonos Avenue runs in the western part of Alimos, with the Hymettus mountain to the east meeting mainly grassland, while areas to the north of Argyroupoli are forested. The nearest subway station is at Alexandros Panagoulis station and is also accessed by a tramway constructed in the 2000s, and opened in 2004, serving as access with the Attiki Odos (number 63) to the east. Vouliagmenis is to the west, and the area lies South of Athens, Southeast of Piraeus, Northwest of Sounio, and almost directly north of the old Ellinikon International Airport, which served two entry points and several Olympic venues, including a basketball arena. The Saronic Gulf is located to its west.

Early in the 20th century the area consisted of farmland, primarily pastures and groves. In the 1940s and the again in the 1970s, urban development and businesses replaced much of the farmland, so that today, much of the area is urbanized. Business is concentrated in the south and along main avenues. A marina is situated to the west serving tens of piers with up to 1,100 boats. Depth ranges from 2 to 7 metres.

1 History
2 Historical population
3 Twin cities
4 External links

[edit] History

The first settlements uncovered by archeologists in Alimos date back to the Neolithic period, and the excavation site can be found in the region of Ano Kalamaki, immediately by the Vouliagmenis highway.

In antiquity, Alimos existed as a fishing town on the outskirts of the city-state of Athens. Testament to its development during this period are the ruins of a small amphitheater, quite unusual in the ancient world in its rectangular design. The site can be found on Ancient Theater street in Ano (upper) Kalamaki (just a few blocks away from the Neolithic site), and it is noteworthy that, while the town is more closely associated with its ties to the sea, as "alimos" in ancient Greek means "belonging to the sea", the main archeological sites are situated at the farthest point of the municipality from the shoreline.

The most significant historical affiliation of Alimos is that with Thucydides. Thucydides was born in Alimos, and is often referred to as "Thucydides the Alimousian" (Greek :Θουκυδίδης ο Αλιμούσιος).Also,the head of Thucidydes is the emblem of Alimos,which is commonly used between schools in the area.Furthermore,the First High School of Alimos (Greek :Πρώτο ΓΕ.Λ. Αλίμου)is called Thucycidio (Greek :Θουκυδίδιο),after him.